Waiver Wire Pickups Week 14

The Phillies have had to call on middle relief experts to get the job done in the ninth and with Ryan Madson on the disabled list, Antonio Bastardo has been given the opportunity to close. Thus far, Bastardo has done a terrific job and for those of you that need a few more saves (who doesn’t) and he can also help you in areas like strikeouts, ERA and WHIP.

Bastardo’s earn run average and WHIP are under one this season while he boast a strikeout to inning ratio of just over one per inning. You will need to act fast to acquire Bastard in daily leagues as he’s already gone in 61 percent of ESPN leagues and 44 percent of Yahoo leagues. This role is temporary but if he does well he would earn the right to get the call again should Madson have another injury when he returns.

Starting Pitchers

Rich Harden – A’s

Yahoo

ESPN

9%

7%

Rich Harden is actually healthy and had a great start last week. This guys issue has never been stuff or usually effectiveness on the mound but rather his health. Ride him while he’s healthy because he will give your squad another respectable arm.

Jeff Karstens – Pirates

Yahoo

ESPN

28%

26%

With every passing outing that Jeff Karstens has I’ve come to appreciate his ability more and more. Karstens has been on my waiver wire already this season and as you can see by the numbers above, he’s still avalible in most leagues. The guy just doesn’t walk anyone and that is the kind of foundation that makes you build trust in a pitcher even when he’s on the Pirates.

Then again, the Pirates have a very underrated pitching staff this season so someone is doing something right in developing these young arms, finally. Karstens should remain a starter in your lineup even against offensive lineups as he’s pitched great just about every time out this season.

Jason Vargas – Mariners

Yahoo

ESPN

19%

25%

I’ve had Jason Vargas on this waiver wire report a few times and I’ve fallen in and out of love with his ability this season. Vargas can pitch a fabukous game as he just did against the Padres, and he can go out for two starts and give up five or six runs. It looks like he’s putting things back together after a slow start of the month of June. Vargas makes for a good play in his division and especially when the Mariners are playing (pitchers park) in Seattle.

First Baseman

Derrek Lee – Orioles

Yahoo

ESPN

27%

32%

If your in need of some steady play at a utility spot, you might want to give Derrek Lee a shot as he’s finally healthy and starting to hit. Lee won’t give a tone of power nor will he steal bases but he is a consistent producer when he’s playing well and can be an option to hit well over .300 for long stretches. Right now he’s hitting around .270 in the past two weeks but I believe his recent stroke will have his average moving up soon.

Catcher

Geovany Soto – Cubs

Yahoo

ESPN

61%

42%

Look for some thump at your catcher position? Give Geovany Soto a chance as he’s finally hitting with some power in the Cubs lineup. No, Soto isn’t a great player for average and will strikeout, but if you need some extra power in your lineup, he can help you right now.

Outfielders

Cameron Maybin – Padres

Yahoo

ESPN

12%

17%

Carmeron Maybin has it going once again as he continues to progress into the skill starter we thought he would be with the Marlins a few years ago. Maybe a change of scenery was all this youngster needed, but it’s clear he is making strides to becoming a regular option for fantasy baseball.

Josh Reddick – Red Sox

Yahoo

ESPN

2%

2%

Who knows how long Josh Reddick will continue to stay on his hot streak but he’s in an explosive Red Sox lineup and will have plenty of support around him. Reddick is benefiting from pitchers given him better pitches to hit because they would rather challenge Reddick than the other monsters in this lineup. As long as Reddick continue to make solid contact it will be hard to get him out of the lineup so ride him while he’s hot.